Friday, October 23, 2009

Marines to Render Hero’s Welcome to Officer Killed in Sulu Bomb Explosion

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Friday, 23 October 2009

The Marine officer who was hit by a landmine last Wednesday while leading his team during patrol in Patikul, Sulu will be accorded hero’s welcome today, 23 October 2009 at the Marine Headquarters in Taguig City.

MAJ GEN JUANCHO A SABBAN AFP, Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps will lead officers and enlisted personnel in paying their last respects to a fallen comrade, 2LT DULAN F CORDERO PN(M). The late Marine officer will be awarded the Posthomous Wounded Medal.

A landmine hit 2LT CORDERO who was conducting patrol with his team from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-5 (MBLT-5) along the vicinities of Barangay Upper Tugas in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday morning, 21 October 2009. The device was planted along the cut off water pipe that exploded when MBLT-5 passed near the vicinity to check the water pipe. Another Marine was also wounded during the incident.

2LT CORDERO graduated from the PMA in 2006 and was assigned to Sulu in March 2007 after completing his training at the Marine Base Ternate. The former corps commander of his ROTC unit in Tacloban City, 2LT CORDERO, 27 years old, excelled in judo during his cadet days and was a company commander in the academy.

“His leadership trait always stood out. Once he set a goal, he was determined to achieve it”, said 2LT Rafael Naranjo, a former company-mate at the PMA and also a Marine officer now assigned in Sulu. He adds that being competitive and a fighter was deeply ingrained in Cordero’s character.

According to a former roommate, Cordero who is the eldest in a brood of three, was aware of the dangers facing the job did but this did not discourage him from joining the Marines. “He wanted to be a warrior”, said Ens Nelson Alquiza who is now a Navy pilot.
Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez condoles with the family of 2LT CORDERO. Despite suffering casualties during the recent attacks in Sulu, the Navy leadership will not be detered from pursuing lasting peace and progress in Mindanao through its security efforts and various humanitarian projects undertaken by the soldiers. According to Vice Admiral Golez, putting an end to the Navy’s operations in the island-province would lend futile the sacrifice of the soldiers in the south especially those who have died in battle.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I was really shocked when I heard about the news yesterday evening.
I didn't really knew what happened, I even sent a message in his Facebook account and added him as one of my friends.
Dulan was a good friend of mine since I transferred to Tacloban from Pampanga. We have been friends and buddies even in our COCC & CAT days.
He was a great leader and a good friend. I'm extending my heartfelt condolence to all his loved ones.
He will always remain in memories. May he rest in peace in the hands of God.

Mark Nemuel Agullo

Unknown said...

This 21st of October will be his 3rd year death anniversary.
And I still cry at night if I dream about him.
I miss my brother so much.

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